Product Overview
An original CATL 3.2V 280Ah LiFePO4 cell in the standard prismatic case, supplied as a Grade A unit for builders who assemble a custom LiFePO4 battery pack rather than buy a finished battery. The welded aluminum shell and the 280Ah footprint line up with the module trays, busbars and compression hardware that 280Ah builds already use, so a pack designed around this format does not have to be re-engineered around a new can size.
The chemistry is straightforward: a lithium iron phosphate battery cell with no cobalt, a flat voltage curve through most of the discharge and a much wider thermal margin than nickel-rich cells. That is why these cells turn up in home powerwalls, off-grid cabin banks, telecom and UPS backup strings and small commercial energy storage — duty cycles where a pack may sit at a high state of charge for hours and still be expected to last.
Plan the rest of the system around it. The cell needs a BMS rated for your string voltage, busbars and compression plates sized for a prismatic can, and a charger that respects the charge current on the datasheet. If you are comparing a LiFePO4 prismatic cell with pouch or cylindrical formats, the prismatic case is the one that stacks, bolts and clamps predictably, which is why it dominates stationary storage builds.
Specifications
| Battery Model |
CL-LF280 |
| Battery Type |
Lithium iron phosphate battery cell, prismatic aluminum case |
| Nominal Voltage |
3.2 V |
| Nominal Capacity |
280 Ah |
| Working Voltage |
2.5 V – 3.65 V |
| Max Charge Current |
0.5C |
| Max Discharge Current |
1C |
| Peak Discharge Current |
3C |
| Internal Resistance |
≈0.17 mΩ |
| Cycle Life |
≥6000 cycles |
| Charge Temperature |
0 – 60 °C |
| Discharge Temperature |
-30 – 60 °C |
| Cell Dimensions |
173.9 × 71.7 × 207.2 mm |
| Cell Weight |
5.34 kg |
LiFePO4 Chemistry Advantages
- Thermal stability first. An LFP cathode releases far less heat under abuse than a nickel-rich one, so an overcharged or physically damaged cell is much less likely to run into thermal runaway. That margin is why banks for garages, basements and containers are so often built on this chemistry.
- Retention, not just cycle count. A cycle rating only means something if capacity is still there at the end of it. This cell is specified to finish its rated life with about 80% of its capacity available, so the pack fades gradually instead of falling off a cliff.
- A flat discharge curve. Voltage holds steady through most of the discharge, which keeps inverter input stable and makes state-of-charge estimation easier for the BMS.
- Low self-discharge. A stored cell loses very little charge month to month, so a bank that sits idle through a grey winter comes back without needing a deep recovery charge.
- No cobalt, easier disposal. The cathode contains no cobalt and no toxic heavy metals, which simplifies end-of-life recycling and avoids the supply volatility that follows nickel-rich chemistries.
- Cost per cycle, not cost per cell. A cell that runs thousands of deep cycles at high retention is usually the cheaper option per kWh delivered, even when the unit price is higher than a B-grade lot.
- A format with a deep supply chain. Because so many lithium iron phosphate battery manufacturers build to this 280Ah footprint, trays, busbars, compression plates and BMS profiles are easy to source now and easy to replace later.
- Partial charging suits LFP cells. Unlike older lithium chemistries, LFP cells do not need a full charge to stay healthy, so a bank that runs a shallow daily cycle ages gently.
Grade A vs B-Grade Cells
| Aspect |
A-Grade Cell |
B-Grade Cell |
| Definition |
Meets the full published specification with zero defects |
Fails one or more standard parameters but still works, usually with minor flaws |
| Cycle life |
Long; holds a high share of capacity through the rated cycles |
Shorter; capacity fades faster than an A-grade cell |
| Safety and stability |
High; stable across a wide range of conditions with complete protection |
Acceptable, but slightly higher risk than A-grade under extreme conditions |
| Internal resistance and capacity |
Close to the datasheet and consistent from cell to cell in the same batch |
Drifts away from the datasheet and varies between cells |
| Traceability |
Clear QR code and original batch reports available |
'B' marking, covered code, or documents that cannot be produced |
| Price |
Reference level |
Typically 50%–90% of the A-grade price, sometimes lower |
Verifying Cell Grade Before Purchase
- Read the QR code. A-grade cells carry a clear, traceable code that resolves to the original manufacturer's batch. A 'B' stamp, a scratched-off square or a code that leads nowhere is the first reason to walk away.
- Inspect the shell. A new LiFePO4 prismatic cell arrives flat and square with clean terminal faces. Scratches, dents, rust spots or welding residue point to a salvaged or re-wrapped unit rather than a new A-grade cell.
- Test the data. Ask for internal resistance, capacity and batch consistency figures and compare them with the datasheet. Values that sit away from the sheet, or that scatter widely across the same lot, mean the LFP cells are not what they are being sold as.
- Compare the quote with the market. When one offer on the same capacity and brand sits far below the others, the difference is usually grade rather than generosity.
- Ask for documents. Lithium iron phosphate battery suppliers who hold original batch reports and grading data can send them; a seller who cannot produce anything should be treated with caution.
Assembly, Handling and Storage
- Terminals and busbars. The welded aluminum terminals take a bolted busbar. Use the torque figure supplied with the cell, then re-check it after the first full charge cycle — a loose joint is the most common source of hot spots in a hand-built pack.
- Compression. Prismatic cells swell slightly as they age. Clamp the stack between end plates so the cases stay flat through their service life; a loose stack lets cells bow and puts stress on the terminals.
- Tray fit. Check module depth, terminal clearance and busbar routing against the cell's published dimensions before any metal is cut, because a tray machined to the wrong height means a second enclosure.
- Series and parallel. Cells combine into series strings for voltage and parallel groups for capacity. Keep every parallel group on the same cell count and the same grade; mixing counts inside a group is the fastest way to unbalance a bank.
- Custom pack layouts. If you are designing a custom LiFePO4 battery pack, keep the cells upright, leave service access to the BMS wiring and busbars, and allow room for compression plates — retrofitting them into a finished enclosure is far harder than designing them in.
- Handling. Lift by the body, never by the terminals, and quarantine any cell that has been dropped, dented or had a terminal bent; a damaged case can hide a short you will not see until the pack is closed.
- Storage before assembly. Keep spare cells between -20 °C and 45 °C in a dry, shaded space, still in their original packaging, and away from anything that could fall across the terminals. Let them reach room temperature before charging so no condensation forms on cold plates.
- Brand substitution. If a drawing names EVE LiFePO4 cells or another brand in the same capacity class, check terminal type, overall height and capacity tolerance against this cell before you swap it in.
Customer Feedback
The messages that come in most often are practical rather than promotional. First-time powerwall builders usually ask how to confirm a lot is Grade A before they commit to a full string — a fair question, and the reason grading data travels with the batch. Installers tend to ask for the same batch to be held for a follow-up site, so the second bank matches the first when it is commissioned.
Distributors comparing several LiFePO4 battery manufacturers usually end up judging the repeat order rather than the first one: what matters is whether the same cell, the same grade and the same paperwork are still available six months later, when the next container is booked.
Technical teams often say the paperwork is the part that saves them time. When the grading data from lithium iron phosphate battery suppliers agrees with what their own incoming inspection measures, the pack design can be signed off without a second round of testing, and the first article build goes ahead on schedule.
Ordering, Documentation and Project Support
- Send the pack layout. Tell us the string voltage, cell count and, if you have one, the enclosure drawing. We check terminal type, height and busbar clearance against the cells in stock before quoting.
- Confirm grade and quantity. There is no strict MOQ on this cell. If you want to test a lot before committing to a full string, ask your sales contact about sample quantities and the terms that currently apply.
- Certification and transport documents. Cells are certified to UN38.3, CE, FCC, RoHS, IEC62133 and UL as required for the destination market. We can supply the MSDS, UN38.3 test report, cargo transport assessment report and certification files with the shipment.
- Freight terms. FOB, CIF, DAP and DDP are available for most countries; door-to-door DDP is the option most buyers choose because duty and customs clear in one step. Give us the port or warehouse and we quote against it.
- OEM/ODM. Beyond bare cells, we assemble to a specification — BMS, enclosure, connectors and test report — so a custom LiFePO4 battery pack can ship as a finished unit rather than a box of parts.
- Warranty. Every cell carries a two-year warranty. Report transit damage, or a parameter that does not match the datasheet, before assembly begins so it can be handled as a claim rather than a return.
- Supply continuity. We buy through the same lithium iron phosphate battery suppliers year on year — CATL, CALB, EVE, Farasis and others — so a model that ships today can usually be repeated on the next order.
- Brand alternatives. If a drawing specifies EVE LiFePO4 cells or another brand in this capacity class, we quote that cell alongside this one so the comparison is like for like.
- Lead time and packing. Cells are palletised for lithium freight with terminal protection and foam-separated cartons. Confirm the current lead time for your quantity and destination with your sales contact before you book installation crews.
280Ah vs 314Ah Selection
- The 314Ah class stores more energy per cell, so a bank of the same kWh needs fewer cells and fewer parallel connections. In the CATL 314Ah option, that works out to 12% fewer parallel connections than a 280Ah layout, which reduces busbar joints and BMS wiring points.
- Capacity class is not a quality grade. The 314Ah cells we supply span different brands and cycle ratings: CATL 314Ah is rated ≥7000 cycles, EVE MB31 ≥8000 cycles with about 330Ah actual capacity, and Gotion 314Ah ≥12000 cycles with 178Wh/kg. Compare the exact model, not just the Ah number.
- The footprint is close but not drop-in identical. CATL 314Ah measures 173.7 × 71.5 × 207.2 mm and weighs 5.49 kg; EVE MB31 is 173.7 × 71.7 × 207.2 mm and 5.60 kg; Gotion is 174.8 × 72 × 207 mm and 5.63 kg. This 280Ah cell is 173.9 × 71.7 × 207.2 mm and 5.34 kg. Check tray height, compression plate travel and terminal clearance against the exact drawing.
- Choose the 280Ah format when the enclosure, busbars and compression hardware are already designed and validated around it, or when a lighter module and a lower cost per cell matter more than reducing parts count.
- Choose a 314Ah cell when you are designing a new rack or container and want fewer cells per string, fewer bolted joints and simpler service access. The higher capacity per cell also means each module becomes heavier, so plan lifting and installation accordingly.
- Do not mix 280Ah and 314Ah cells in the same series string. Different capacity, internal resistance and age cause the BMS to fight an imbalance it cannot correct. If you are expanding an existing bank, match the original model and batch, or replace the whole string.
- For a custom LiFePO4 battery pack, confirm the BMS current profile and charger settings against the chosen cell, because the 314Ah models do not all share the same continuous charge and discharge rates.
- If the project needs a specific brand or cycle life, ask for the 314Ah datasheet alongside this 280Ah sheet before the enclosure is cut; the decision is mechanical and commercial, not a step up in grade.
Real Customer Reviews
Our growth comes from every customer’s recognition. The NOGIPower team is committed to delivering reliable batteries to our customers.
Quality Control & Inspection
Every order is checked before it leaves us. In-depth partnerships with CATL, CALB, EVE, Farasis and other leading manufacturers give us traceable, original-brand cells, and our team runs a full inspection pass on every shipment, with sampling checks on packaging and labels. Anything that fails is held back, replaced and reported to you before dispatch. You are welcome to send your own inspector or appoint a third-party agency; we arrange access, samples and the documents they need, and the same paperwork travels with the goods.
FAQ
Q1. Why a prismatic cell rather than a cylindrical one?
A LiFePO4 prismatic cell puts flat face against flat face, so a rack holds far more capacity in the same footprint, and the terminals bolt to busbars instead of needing spot-welded nickel strip. For a stationary bank that is assembled once and serviced occasionally, that means fewer joints, easier torque checks and a much simpler compression arrangement. Cylindrical cells still make sense where a pack has to survive heavy vibration or fill an odd-shaped enclosure; for a floor-standing or rack-mounted bank, the prismatic case is the practical choice.
Q2. Can I mix these cells with other brands or with cells already in service?
Keep one series string to one brand, one grade and one batch. Internal resistance and capacity drift between brands and between ages, and a string only stays balanced when every cell behaves the same way under load. If a drawing names EVE LiFePO4 cells or a different model in this class, treat the swap as a design change: compare terminal type, height and capacity tolerance first, and replace the whole string rather than adding new cells to old ones.
Q3. How does this 280Ah cell compare with the larger 314Ah cells you also supply?
The larger cells cut the number of parallel strings and busbar joints for the same stored energy, which simplifies assembly and BMS wiring. They also change the tray dimensions, the weight of each module and the cost per cell, and they usually suit a better fit when the enclosure is designed from scratch. This cell wins when the tray, compression hardware and drawings are already built around the 280Ah format, or when a lighter module matters more than the parts count. Both capacity classes come from the same group of LiFePO4 battery manufacturers, so the decision is mechanical and commercial rather than a question of quality.
Q4. Do new cells need balancing before the first assembly?
Yes — top-balance the set before the BMS is connected. Charge the cells in parallel to the top of their working voltage window, hold them there until the current tapers, then assemble the string. Starting from cells that are already level means the BMS spends its first weeks trimming small differences instead of fighting one large one, and any weak cell shows up before the pack is closed.
Q5. Does shallow daily cycling shorten cell life?
The opposite. LFP cells age slowly when they run shallow cycles in the middle of their voltage range, and they age fastest when they are held at a full state of charge in heat or pushed hard at high charge rates. Depth of discharge, ambient temperature and charge current drive ageing far more than the number of times the bank switches on. A bank that cycles between roughly half and mostly full, in a ventilated space, will usually outlast one that is run to empty every day.
Q6. What should I check when the delivery arrives?
Open the packaging in good light and look at the cases before anything is bolted down: flat, square shells, clean terminal faces, an intact QR label and no sign of moisture. Measure the open-circuit voltage of every cell and note the spread; a cell sitting well below the rest of the lot should be set aside and reported before assembly starts. Keep the packaging and photograph anything that looks wrong — freight claims are far easier to settle with the original carton and a picture.
